WATCH: Dana Holgorsen, John Butler + players reflect on UCLA win, preview Penn State
Nebraska football, once again, picked up the pieces, reflected and regrouped after a disappointing loss to tally another mark in the win column.
That latest victory came against UCLA on the road, as the Huskers outlasted the Bruins, 28-21, two weeks ago after having lost 21-17 at home to USC the week prior.
Now, Penn State Week is here.
The Huskers (7-3 overall, 4-3 Big Ten) will travel to face the Nittany Lions (4-6, 1-6) at Beaver Stadium in State College, Pennsylvania (6 p.m. CT kickoff Saturday on NBC) for a conference battle.
Hopes of a transcendent run to a College Football Playoff berth have been dashed ever since the loss to USC. Still, in a pivotal season, there remain a great deal of benchmarks left to accomplish this season.
Year 3 of the Matt Rhule Era – the most important of his tenure thus far as the Nebraska head coach – began with a 3-0 start before a disappointing loss to Michigan in a Week 4 showdown. Then, the Huskers bounced back with wins over Michigan State at home and Maryland on the road, but then an even more disheartening loss than the loss to Wolverines ensued during a road loss at Minnesota.
>> WATCH: Matt Rhule previews Penn State at Game Week press conference
Nebraska avoided disaster against Northwestern, following up on the defeat to the Gophers by showing resolved and locking down a home win to set up the most pivotal game of the Huskers’ season against USC.
Nebraska, in what was a de facto CFP elimination game, came out firing and held a 14-6 lead before the game flipped on a dime. Dylan Raiola’s season-ending injury halted the Huskers’ momentum in the third quarter, and USC took over to end the CFP aspirations for Rhule and Co.
Still, there was plenty to play for, and Nebraska proved it was up for the challenge when it went on the road to beat UCLA, 28-21, two weeks ago.
Now, the Huskers take their 7-3 mark – which includes a 4-2 record in one-score games – into Happy Valley. Nebraska has already clinched the program’s best regular-season record since 2016, and the Huskers’ 9-3 mark from that season remains in play.
Achieving that goal begins this weekend at Penn State.
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Ahead of their next Big Ten battle, the Huskers held their latest media availability inside Hawks Championship Center on Tuesday to preview the upcoming matchup with the Nittany Lions.
Watch and listen to the Tuesday press conference videos below with offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen reflecting on the win over UCLA, quarterback TJ Lateef’s performance against the Bruins and expectations going forward for the true freshman, the national emergence of star running back Emmett Johnson and a preview of Penn State. Plus, defensive coordinator John Butler breaks down what he has seen from the Penn State offense on tape, what the Blackshirts learned from the UCLA game and more.
In addition, a host of Nebraska players took the stage with Johnson, tight end Luke Lindenmeyer, offensive lineman Rocco Spindler, defensive lineman Elijah Jeudy, linebacker Dylan Rogers and cornerback Ceyair Wright each handling questions from the media.
This week’s press conference videos are also available to watch for free on the Inside Nebraska YouTube channel.
Nebraska OC Dana Holgorsen
Husker DC John Butler
Nebraska RB Emmett Johnson
Husker TE Luke Lindenmeyer
Nebraska OL Rocco Spindler
Husker DL Elijah Jeudy
Nebraska LB Dylan Rogers
Husker CB Ceyair Wright
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